Veryfing ODE for complicated y(t)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around verifying a differential equation involving a function defined as an integral. The subject area includes ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and integral calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the differentiation of the integral function y(t) and question the feasibility of using substitution methods. There is a discussion about whether the verification must follow a specific approach or if alternative methods could be employed.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights on the differentiation process and the relationship between the integral and the differential equation. There is an acknowledgment of different interpretations regarding the necessity of evaluating the integral for verification.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about the differentiation process and the implications of the variable of integration. There is a mention of homework constraints that may dictate the approach taken.

rdioface
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Homework Statement


For the differential equation, verify (by differentiation and substitution) that the given function y(t) is a solution.

Homework Equations


y' - 4ty = 1

y(t) = \int_{0}^{t} e^{-2(s^{2}-t^{2})} ds

The Attempt at a Solution


I attempted to take \frac{d}{dt} of y(t) as usual but
1. if I do not try bringing the \frac{d}{dt} inside the integral I can do nothing because there is no elementary antiderivative of y(t).
2. if I do bring the \frac{d}{dt} inside the integral, I can use the chain rule to get
y(t) = (-2) \int_{0}^{t} (-2t) e^{-2(s^{2}-t^{2})} ds
but since my variable of integration is ds not dt, this doesn't allow me to use a u-substitution as I had hoped nor can I think of a way to relate ds and dt.

More or less I do not know how to take \frac{d}{dt} of y(t) and I do not know any other ways to solve the problem.
 
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Do you have to do it that way? Because it looks like you can solve it linearly.
 
Yes, the problem asks to verify that y(t) is a solution to the differential equation y' + 4ty = 1.
 
rdioface said:
(-2) \int_{0}^{t} (-2t) e^{-2(s^{2}-t^{2})} ds
but since my variable of integration is ds not dt, this doesn't allow me to use a u-substitution as I had hoped nor can I think of a way to relate ds and dt.

I don't think you have to be able to do the integral to identify that expression as 4 t y(t). Since you are integrating ds you can factor out the t.
 
Dick said:
I don't think you have to be able to do the integral to identify that expression as 4 t y(t). Since you are integrating ds you can factor out the t.

facepalm.jpg

Thanks!
 

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